I think the point with formula feed companies is that it doesn't matter how intelligent you are, you can still subliminally accept a message that has been constant throughout your life. I consider myself to be intelligent (though I'm sure there are many who would disagree ) and I read loads about breastfeeding while I was pregnant, so I was frankly better informed about breastfeeding than some of the midwives I met, but I think I still at an unconscious level, had absorbed the message that there really isn't that much difference. And now I'm pissed off that I'd absorbed that message and realise how pernicious the constant promotion of formula and undermining of breastfeeding is. Because for me when I was vulnerable and desperate after two weeks without one single successful feed, that subconscious message was the deciding factor in the course of action I took. And call me an egotist, but surely I can't be alone in that? And that is why that message should be blocked wherever it sneaks in.
Of course one ad isn't going to persuade anyone to use formula instead of breastfeeding. But communication doesn't work like that - it's a long, painstaking process of drip drip drip into people's consciousness, so that after a certain period of time, no matter how intelligent, observant, etc., we are, we automatically have certain emotions or images when we come across something. Think of any great brand and the chances are, most of us will have fairly similar images of them (if not opinions), because the brand values have been communicated to us so succesfully. Same with stereotypes - if you repeat them over and over again, they will enter your consciousness, whether you agree with them or not and when you are feeling vulnerable, fearful whatever, the subliminal messages that you've absorbed will come and bite you on the bum.